Person of interest in Wis. triple homicide found

SOUTH WAYNE, Wis. — Southern Wisconsin authorities said they have found a person of interest in connection with a triple homicide in rural South Wayne, but the investigation into the slayings continued.

“The danger to our community, as it relates to the homicide investigation, is now over,” Lafayette County Sheriff Scott Pedley said in a statement Sunday evening.

Pedley said in the statement that a family member discovered a dead person in a house in Wiota Township shortly before 10 a.m. Sunday and called authorities. When sheriff’s deputies arrived, they found two more bodies in the home.

A truck registered to one of the victims was gone. Pedley said the truck was found in southeastern Wisconsin. The person of interest was also found, and Pedley said in a statement that law enforcement officers were “in contact” with that person.

It was unclear if the person was in custody or being questioned.

Pedley said the names of the three victims were being withheld until their identities could be confirmed.

Pedley did not immediately release details about the victims’ ages or relationship, and did not say how they died. He also did not release any additional details about the person of interest, or a possible motive.

The investigation was ongoing. Pedley said the state Crime Laboratory and members of the Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation were helping investigators at the scene.